Cultural

Metropolitan Job of Pisidia visits Holy Synod Library in Bucharest

His Eminence Metropolitan Job Getcha of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate) visited the Library of the Holy Synod last Friday, where he was guided by Archimandrite Policarp Chițulescu, the institution’s director. The Metropolitan was in Bucharest from May 13 to 17, 2025, to participate in the International Theology Symposium titled “The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325):…

May 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Artist reveals first look at reliquary for Saint Cleopas’ relics, honouring Romanian monastic spirituality

Iconographer and church artist Ana-Maria Zară has shared for the first time details of the reliquary being crafted to hold the holy relics of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. “In lines of silver, the memories of his spiritual steps through Romanian monastic spirituality will be engraved,” the artist wrote. “Each scene seeks to echo the…

Apr 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Ambassador proposes continued collaboration on legacy of Saint Anthimos the Iberian during visit to Holy Synod Library

Her Excellency Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Georgia to Romania, along with Consul David Chachava, visited the Library of the Holy Synod on Friday, where they held discussions with Archimandrite Policarp Chițulescu, the director of the institution. The purpose of the visit was to propose a continued partnership with the…

Mar 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox theologian warns of ‘monarchy of the screen’ and dangers of digital addiction in youth lecture

Last week, Rev. Professor Emanoil Băbuș delivered a lecture titled “Are You Real or Virtual?” in Brașov. According to Lumina Newspaper, he spoke to young people about the dangers of the digital environment, which can lead to screen addiction and, over time, the loss of Christian values. “We spend energy for one purpose: the ecstasy…

Mar 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Vânători-Neamț Natural Park could become Europe’s eighth UNESCO mixed site

Romania’s Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, home to the historic monasteries of Neamț, could become the eighth mixed UNESCO site in Europe. “There are natural sites, and there are cultural sites, but those number in the thousands. However, there are only seven mixed sites in all of Europe. Vânători-Neamț Natural Park could become the eighth. This is…

Mar 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif and Romania’s Ambassador to Paris attend joint session of French and Romanian Academies

On Thursday, the Académie Française hosted a joint session with the Romanian Academy at its headquarters in Paris, commemorating 145 years of diplomatic relations between France and Romania. Among the attendees were: Metropolitan Iosif of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, Clara Staicu, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, Ioana Bivolaru, Romania’s…

Feb 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Academy President: Patriarchate was a natural step after Great Union, but required major effort

The establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate was a natural consequence of the enthusiasm that followed the Great Union of 1918, but achieving it required immense effort from the country’s leadership, said Academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, President of the Romanian Academy, in an interview published in Lumina Newspaper on the occasion of the Centennial of the Romanian…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bilingual edition of Saint John the New’s Akathist bridges Romanian and Ukrainian communities

The Crimca Publishing House of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți has released a bilingual edition (Romanian-Ukrainian) of The Life and Akathist of Saint John the New of Suceava. Published at the end of last year, the book has been showcased at multiple cultural events in Romania and Ukraine’s Chernivtsi region. The 5,000-copy print run…

Jan 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Byzantine monastery with Bible-quoting mosaic floor unearthed in southern Israel

Israeli researchers have discovered a Byzantine monastic complex over 1,500 years old in southern Israel. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, a large colourful mosaic was found on the floor of the ruins during excavations for the construction of a new neighbourhood. The mosaic features an Old Testament inscription from Deuteronomy 28:6: “Blessed are you when you…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru highlights the Church’s role in preserving national identity on National Culture Day

On Wednesday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message to mark the National Culture Day, emphasizing that this celebration transcends geographical boundaries and unites both banks of the Prut River “in a single spirit of Romanian identity and Orthodox spirituality.” How the Church preserved national identity The Metropolitan of Bessarabia highlighted the pivotal…

Jan 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania recognized as a Top Travel Destination for 2025 by Vogue, CNN Travel and National Geographic

Romania has earned recognition as one of the best travel destinations for 2025, according to American journalists. The country was featured in Vogue’s Top 10 Travel Destinations list, published at the end of last year. Additionally, National Geographic included Romania among the Top 25 Must-Visit Destinations for this year. Romania in Vogue’s Top 10 Romania…

Jan 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu